Rev. Douglas J. House, M.Div.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
-St. John 1:5
I’ve noticed recently that the sun seems to be going down later in the afternoon than it did even a couple of weeks ago. We are told by weather experts that we are gaining minutes of daylight every day as we move closer and closer toward spring. This can be a difficult time of year for so many people as the lack of daylight can affect them adversely. The darkness and cold of the winter months can play havoc in the lives of people who live for the light. Depression can set in during these times, and the lack of daylight often can bring people to the point of despair. So often for some, even the simplest challenges can seem monumental. I’ve even read of something known as “light therapy” for people who seem to suffer from seasonal darkness. For some people, it can be so difficult to gain a proper perspective on the challenges of life, when they suffer from something as simple as a lack of daily light.
I’ve always found it interesting that the Gospel of John in the New Testament addresses the concepts of “light” and “darkness” in its opening chapter. Of course, the author of John is speaking to a specific audience in his time; one that was influenced by Greek thought and commonly used images of darkness and light. John incorporates these images for those reading his words to understand better the workings of God through their own symbols. He offers his belief that in a world of darkness, God has come as the light. This image of God as “light” has been used in so many ways across the centuries, not just in philosophical writings, but even in the development of church architecture.
From Norman to Gothic Architecture
A few years back, I had the privilege of studying at Oxford University in England. I had always looked forward to the time when the dream of studying there might become a reality. I was accepted into a course that was entitled The Architectural Development of the English Parish Church. In the course of our study, we looked back through centuries of English history. We engaged material that demonstrated how English churches had begun centuries ago as “one cell” or “one room” structures. Soon after the Norman Conquest of 1066 CE, an architectural influence arrived from France that took shape on the simple English churches. The architectural style became known as “Norman”, and it had specific characteristics. To begin with, Norman churches tended to have shorter walls which were thicker than the existing churches. In addition, the walls of Norman style churches contained small, narrow slits for windows. There often was a simplicity to early Norman architecture in England, especially among the churches of the 11th century.
As time passed, church architecture changed generally from the Norman style to the Gothic style. Many of the churches and cathedrals we see today throughout western Europe reflect the Gothic style. Notre Dame in Paris is a prime example of a Gothic cathedral. Even after the fire of five years ago, in order to preserve it’s beauty, efforts were made to re-create the cathedral in the original Gothic style. What is the “Gothic style” and how does it differ from the Norman style?
To begin with, the walls of Gothic cathedrals tend to be extremely high and much narrower than those of the Norman style. In addition, because the walls are thinner, they are buttressed outside of the building in order to secure them in place. But one important change in the Gothic style is the abundance of light experienced through stained glass windows. Where the Norman churches offered only small slits of windows in thick walls, the narrowness of the Gothic walls permitted larger windows to be used. Not only did stained glass windows permit more light in the buildings, but they also depicted stories of saints or stories from Scripture to enlighten a population, many of whom could neither read nor write at the time. As we look, we discover that the darkness of Norman churches gave way to the beauty and light of Gothic architecture.
Finding Light in our World
So where do we find light in our world today? Not only do we experience more daylight with the passing of weeks toward spring, but there are other things that bring light to us as well. Walking the dog at the beginning of each new day, sharing a warm cup of tea or coffee with a neighbor, or engaging in a hobby that we enjoy could each be a means of bringing light to our world. Reaching out to people in need by volunteering at soup kitchens or collecting coats for people without homes can show more than compassion in our time. It can show others that the light of hope and love can come from unexpected places. And the next thing you know, in reaching out beyond ourselves, our world becomes a bit brighter. The darkness becomes less, and the light becomes more pronounced. We see that there really is a light of hope at the end of the tunnel. It all works together as daylight increases, as our spirits revive, and as we touch the lives of others with gestures of care and compassion. It all works together to offer us hope in our time. May 2025 be a year of blessing for you where light increases daily in your life, and may you forever experience the hope that life can offer.
